ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
NIFTEMs functioning in the country
Presently there are two National Institutes of Food TechnologyEntrepreneurship and Management , functioning in our country. One in Kundli, Haryana and the other at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
The courses offered by both the institutes are; B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D. inFood Technology and allied sectors. MBA course is offered by NIFTEM Kundli.
To meet the increasing demand of manpower, the sanctioned intake of thestudents have been increased.There are other Centrally funded Institutions/ Universities, State run Institutions/ Universities and private Institutions/ Universities offering degree, post graduate degree and doctorate degree in food technology and its allied specialization to meet increasing demand of manpower in the Food Processing Industries.
A Review Committee was set up by Ministry of Food Processing Industries  to review the activities of both the NIFTEMs. The Review Committee reported that both the Institutes have been doing very well ever since their inception with respect to the mandated objectives. New vistas in the contemporary areas of food science and technology for the institute to catch up with other similar institutes of international repute have also been started.
The MoFPI facilitates generation of employment in the food processing sector through Schemes Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana , Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises  and Production-Linked Incentive Scheme . No specific target has been set for the next five years.
This information was given by Minister of State for M/o Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Department of Animal Husbandry inaugurates Animal Quarantine Certification Services in Bengaluru as part of National Milk Day Celebrations
MoS Dr. Sanjay Kumar Balyan inaugurates Animal Quarantine Certification Services in Hasserghata, Bangalore
Department of Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying celebrated National Milk Day on 26th November 2022 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The Department inaugurated Animal Quarantine Certification Services as part of the celebrations in Hasserghata Bengaluru. The station has been completed recently and was inaugurated by Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal husbandry & dairying, Government of India on National Milk Day in the presence of Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India.
AQCS, Bangalore was initiated in August 2009 and the station has been functioning from the airport satellite office at Alpha 3, Kempegowda International airport, Bengaluru, Karnataka. Since its inception the station has seen a substantial increase in its workload and movement of Livestock and Livestock products has increased manifold. However, in the absence of Quarantine facility, the Import of Live animals like Horses, Cattles, Sheep, Goats etc. was not allowed to import in Bengaluru.
Accordingly, the construction work started in the 10 acres area at Hessarghata, Bengaluru with the funding by Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, the work has been executed by CPWD, Bangalore. The station has come up with state-of-the-art building and infrastructure.
With the ambient climatic conditions of Bengaluru, it is envisaged that the climatic conditions will be mostly suitable for live animals to be imported and such imported animals will be acclimatized properly at the Quarantine station in Hessarghata.
This station will facilitate regions in the country especially the Southern States to import and export of livestock and livestock products and boost to the trade. The AQCS will be equipped with online clearance System for imports of livestock products and livestock in due course and be a game changer for local economy.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on Monday reviewed progress of key infrastructure sectors including petroleum and natural gas, power, renewable energy and housing. The review meeting, which came soon after the review of connectivity-related infrastructure sectors in the last week of April, lasted for about three hours, and was attended by top officials from PMO, NITI Aayog and all infrastructure Ministries of the Government of India.
In course of the presentation made by CEO NITI Aayog, it was noted that remarkable progress has been made in several sectors, including generation of renewable energy, affordable and rural housing, LED bulbs etc.
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has benefited 1.98 crore BPL households so far. The contribution of gas to the primary energy mix has risen to 8%. 81 cities are being covered under City Gas Distribution networks.
The Prime Minister called for greater emphasis on ethanol blending, and evolution of mechanisms so that farmers can benefit the most from this process. He said that setting up of 2nd generation bio-ethanol refineries should be expedited, to utilize agricultural residues for this purpose.
The rural electrification programme is proceeding swiftly, with over 13,000 villages electrified out of a total of 18,452, and is on track for completion within the targeted 1000 days. Over 22 lakh rural BPL households were electrified in 2016-17, and over 40 crore LED bulbs were distributed in the same period. The total inter-regional transmission capacity has been significantly enhanced, with 41 GigaWatts transmission capacity being added from May 2014 to April 2017.
The total renewable generation capacity has crossed 57 GigaWatts, with an increase of 24.5% being registered in the last fiscal year. The capacity addition in solar energy in FY17 was the highest-ever, at 81%. Solar and wind tariffs have now achieved grid parity, with rates well below 4 rupees per Kilowatt-Hour. The Prime Minister called for establishment of some model solar cities, where the power requirement is fulfilled solely by solar energy. A similar effort can be made to make certain localities kerosene-free, he added.
The Prime Minister emphasized that manufacturing of solar equipment should be given priority, to drive employment generation, and derive maximum benefit from the renewable energy drive.
Under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, remarkable progress has been achieved in rural areas. IT and space-based applications are being extensively used to monitor progress of the scheme. Over 32 lakh houses have been completed in rural areas in FY17. The Prime Minister enquired about the training and skills being given to rural masons, who were involved with this scheme.
Seeking a consolidated approach to various schemes, such as electrification, IT networks and housing, the Prime Minister called for a focused approach on the 100 worst performing districts in each case. He directed that future reviews should focus on problems at the district-level, so that the progress of poorly performing districts can be better monitored.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh hosts a Farewell Lunch for Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad and other retiring Rajya Sabha MPs from Jammu & Kashmir at his residence in New Delhi
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today hosted a Farewell Lunch for Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad and other retiring Rajya Sabha MPs from Jammu & Kashmir at his residence here.
Retiring Rajya Sabha members Shamsher Singh Manhas, Mir Mohammad Fayaz were also joined by senior Rajya Sabha member and Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, MoS Home Incharge J&K G. Kishan Reddy and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Jammu, Jugal Kishore Sharma.
Pertinent to mention that the six years’ term of all the Rajya Sabha members from Jammu & Kashmir is coming to an end during the current session of Parliament and there is going to be no representation in Rajya Sabha from Jammu & Kashmir till the time a Legislative Assembly gets constituted there after the holding of elections.
Ghulam Nabi Azad recalled his long association with Parliament beginning from 1980 and also his experiences as Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir. He also recalled his political journey beginning from block Bhalesa in Doda.
Fondly referring to Dr Jitendra Singh whom he said he always considered his younger brother, Ghulam Nabi Azad pointed out that both of them belong to the same district of Doda and therefore there was a special and a different kind of bonding between the two. He also referred to some of the development projects undertaken in the region and offered to pay a joint visit with Dr Jitendra Singh and hold discussions with the Union Territory government for expeditious and effective implementation of these projects.
Shamsher Singh Manhas spoke of the experience of his six years’ tenure in Rajya Sabha while Mir Fayaz appreciated the gesture of Dr Jitendra Singh in holding an informal private get together like this in the honour of retiring MPs from J&K.
Dhramendra Pradhan referred to Azad as a leader who had earned the respect of all political parties including that of the people of his native State of Odisha where Azad had worked as Congress General Secretary. Reddy also recalled the days when Azad was Congress Incharge of the southern States.
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Ministry of Defence
Navika Sagar Parikrama - INSV Tarini departs from Lyttelton
The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel  Tarini left Lyttelton this morning  for its onward journey to Port Stanley . INSV Tarini had arrived at Lyttelton on 29 November 2017 after completion of second leg of its maiden voyage to circumnavigate the globe. This historic circumnavigation attempt by an all-women crew is being led by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, and the crew comprises Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.
The crew of INSV Tarini was officially welcomed to Lyttelton by Mr Andrew Turner, Deputy Mayor of Christchurch on 29 November 2017. The crew was also welcomed in the traditional Maori culture by members of the community.
Hon'ble MP from Christchurch Central, Mr Duncan Webb also visited the vessel to welcome the crew. The crew had several engagements during its stay in Lyttelton, including call-on meeting with Mayor of City of Christchurch, Ms Lianne Dalziel. The National Council of Women of New Zealand also hosted the crew for an interaction.
INSV Tarini crew had an opportunity to interact with a wide range of stakeholders during the welcome reception hosted by the High Commission on 30 November 2017, which was attended by about 100 distinguished guests, including members of Parliament, state officials, businessmen, academicians, leaders from Indian community and media persons.
INSV Tarini was open to visitors at Lyttelton Port of Christchurch  on 3 December 2017. Nearly 200 visitors, from all walks, visited the vessel and interacted with the crew. The crew was also welcomed by the city of Christchurch during the traditional festive march, known as the 'Santa Parade'. More than 200 school children attended a presentation and interaction session with the crew at Prebbleton School on 5 December 2017.
The crew also visited the Naval Point Yacht Club, Canterbury and Ara Institute, NZ where a presentation on 'Navika Sagar Parikrama' was given to the audience. The crew visited the traditional Maori cultural centre, 'Rehua Marae' during the port stay. The crew also had a trip to few tourist places near Christchurch, including Hanmer hot springs and the French harbour, Akaroa.
The visit of INSV Tarini to Lyttelton was covered widely in New Zealand print and electronic media, and ethnic media.
DKS/AC
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Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Gujarat
The Income Tax Department has carried out a search and seizure operation on a prominent group engaged in manufacturing of chemicals and development of real estate on 18.11.2021. The search action covered more than 20 premises spread over Vapi and Sarigam in Gujarat, Silvassa and also in Mumbai.
A large number of incriminating evidences in the form of documents, diary notings and digital data showing earning of huge unaccounted income by the group and its investment in assets have been found and seized. The evidences clearly indicate evasion of taxable income by adopting various modus-operandi such as suppression of production, use of bogus purchase invoices without actual delivery of the goods to inflate purchases, availing of bogus GST credit, claim of bogus commission expenses, etc. The assessee group has also received on-money in immovable property transactions. All these have resulted into generation of unaccounted cash. During the search proceedings, several incriminating evidences about cash transactions in investment in immovable properties and cash loans have also been seized.
The search operation has resulted in seizure of unaccounted cash of about Rs. 2.5 crore and jewellery of Rs. 1 crore. 16 bank lockers have been placed under restraint.
A preliminary analysis of the documents/evidence unearthed during the search has indicated that estimation of unaccounted income is likely to be more than Rs.100 crore.
Further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Vadodara Municipal Corporation to mobilize Rs.100 Cr against its contribution of Rs.224.30 in AMRUT Scheme
Funds will be judiciously deployed in Sindhrot Water Supply Project as well as Liquid Waste Management Project
Vadodara Municipal Corporation has decided to mobilize Rs.100 Cr against its contribution of Rs.224.30 in AMRUT Scheme. Total 14 works of various services of Rs.533.40 Cr we4e approved under AMRUT Scheme, out of which Rs.224.30 Cr was to be contributed by VMC as its own share. VMC’s Municipal Bond has been dual rated AA+/Stable and AA/Stable by India Rating & Research Pvt. Ltd. and CRISIL Rating Ltd. respectively. Requisite approvals from VMC’s General Board, Government of Gujarat, and Securities and Exchange Board of India  have bewn already received.
Today Issue opened at 11.00 AM for online subscription on the Electronic Bidding Platform  of Bombay Stock Exchange. Vadodara Municipal Corporation  successfully raised Rs. 100 Cr by issuing Maiden Municipal Bond on Private Placement Basis using BSEBOND . Amidst the prevailing pandemic conditions and global tension, it is indeed very prestigious for VMC aa it received 36 bids on BSEBOND platform for Rs. 1,007 Cr, 10.07 times of the issue size. Issue was oversubscribed by 4.52 times within a second of opening of the issue. VMC has received the subscription amount of Rs.100 Cr at a yield of 7.15%, which is lowest ever coupon rate in the category of Municipal Bond after SEBI Regulations for Municipal Bonds. By far this stands as the most competitive and lowest rate amongst Municipal Bond issuances in India.
VMC looks forward to judiciously deploy these funds in Sindhrot Water Supply Project, which will cater to the needs of drinking water supply in the city as well as Liquid Waste Management Project which will help in disposal of sewage water effectively. Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs  has an arrangement with US Treasury Department to support six Indian cities to issue Municipal Bonds. Under this arrangement US Treasury Department provided Technical Assistance to VMC free of cost.
Vadodara is the second Municipal Corporation after Pune Municipal Corporation to avail the technical support of US Treasury Department along with five other cities i.e., Rajkot, Pimpri Chinchwad, Faridabad, Mysore and Mangaluru. Advisers of US Treasury and MoHUA Officers provided full support and Guidance during each stage of the Bond. Further VMC has also been eligible for incentive of Rs. 13 Crore from Central Government as it has been successful in raising money through bond before 31st March.
Ministry of Steel
MOIL’s production and sales jump in November 2022.
Registered a 60% growth in the production of Manganese ore.
On the sales front, MOIL recorded a growth of 82%.
With a production of 1.2 lakh tones of Manganese Ore in November, 2022, MOIL has registered a significant growth of 60% during the month over October, 2022. On the sales front, MOIL has recorded a growth of 82% during the period over the previous month, in spite of challenging market conditions.
Smt. Usha Singh, Director  & CMD , attributed the improved performance of the company to the great team effort exhibited by all concerned and reiterated that MOIL is geared up for much better performance in the remaining period of the financial year.
MOIL Limited is a Schedule-A, Miniratna Category-I CPSE under the administrative control of Ministry of Steel, Government of India. MOIL is the largest producer of manganese ore in the country and operates eleven mines in the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. MOIL holds about 34% of the manganese ore reserves of the country and is contributing approximately 45% of the domestic production. The company has an ambitious vision of almost doubling its production to 3.00 million tonnes by 2030. MOIL is also exploring business opportunities in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Odisha besides other areas in the state of Madhya Pradesh
Ministry of Defence
Defence Secretary commissions Offshore Patrol Vessels ICGS Saksham at Goa
Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship  Saksham, the fifth in the series of 105-metre Offshore Patrol Vessels  class, at Goa on March 16, 2022 in the presence of Director General Coast Guard Shri V S Pathania and other senior dignitaries of Central and State governments. ‘Saksham’, meaning 'capable’, is manifestation of ICG will and commit ment of ‘Yatra, Tatra, Sarvatra' adage towards the maritime interest of the Nation.
The 105-meter OPV has been designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited and fitted with advance technology, navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery. The vessel will be also fitted with a 30-mm 2A42 Medak gun and two 12.7-mm Stabilised Remote Controlled Gun  with FCS. The ship has been equipped with an Integrated Bridge System , Integrated Platform Management System , Power Management System  and High Power External fire-fighting  system. The ship is designed to carry a twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats including two inflatable boats for boarding operation, search & rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. The ship is also capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to contain oil spill in the seas.
The ship displaces approximately 2,350 tons  and is propelled by two 9,100 KW diesel engines to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots. She has an endurance of 6,000-nautical mile at economical speed. The sustenance and reach, coupled with the latest and modern equipment and system, provides her the capability to perform the role of a command platform and undertake tasks to fulfil the Coast Guard charter.
The ship, on joining the Coast Guard fleet, will be based at Kochi. She will be deployed extensively for Exclusive Economic Zones surveillance and other duties as enshrined in the Coast Guard charter. Presently, the ICG has an expanding fleet of ships and aircraft. Further, numerous ships are at various stages of construction at different Indian shipyards and Advance Light Helicopters are under production at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru that will provide the added strength to the surveillance capabilities of ICG to deal with the ever-dynamic maritime challenges. The ICGS Saksham is commanded by Deputy Inspector General P Rajesh and manned by 10 officers and 95 sailors.
The commissioning of ICGS Saksham has enhanced the ICG Operational capability to discharge the multifarious maritime tasks. The induction of this Vessel will give fillip to the maritime protection of our vast coastline of Western seaboard.
Special Service and Features
NSG Car Rally flagged off in Chennai
National Security Guard  personnel who are on a car rally as part of Aazdi ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark the 75th year of India's independence, today paid tributes at Tilak Ghat, one of the Satyagraha sites at Marina beach in Chennai.
After paying tributes at Marina, Colonel Umesh Rathod, who heads the team, interacted with NCC cadets and motivated them. Speaking to reporters, he said the 'Sudarshan Bharat Parikrama' rally, which started from New Delhi on October 2, has reached Chennai.
He said the next destination would be Bengaluru and the journey would culminate in New Delhi on October 30 after touching various cities. Twelve officers and 35 commandos of NSG are part of this rally, he said and added the journey is being carried out on 15 Tata Harrier vehicles.
"We are travelling throughout the country to spread the messages of unity, brotherhood and partiotism. We are happy to join the Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav announced by Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. If youngsters perform well, the future will be bright. We are proud that we are in Chennai now. We thank Chennai people and NCC cadets for their love and support," he added.
The team then left for Vandalur, where the rally was flagged off by Tamil Nadu Police Academy Director Shri A Amalraj at a function held in the academy campus.
The team which started from New Delhi on Gandhi Jayanthi , reached Chennai via Lucknow, Varanasi, Gaya, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Gopalpur, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and Ongole.
Colonel Umesh Rathod said they visited cities and villages on their route and learnt the cultures and traditions of people in various parts of the country.
The team, which has left for Bengaluru from Chennai, would reach Delhi via Mumbai and Ahmedabad by covering a total distance of around 7,500 kms, Colonel Rathod informed.
UPSC
Window for withdrawal of online application: Combined Defence Services Examination , 2019
The Union Public Service Commission has introduced the facility of Withdrawal of Application. This facility has enabled the Commission to work with genuine and serious candidates, who can be provided better facilities as also enhancing the efficiency of the Commission’s examination system.
The window for withdrawal of the application for the Combined Defence Services Examination , 2019 is active now and will be available till 10.12.2018  at the https://upsconline.nic.in.
On successful completion of withdrawal of application, email and SMS will be sent to the candidate to confirm the withdrawal. Once application has been withdrawn, it cannot be revived under any circumstances.